Read and Think!

PROFANITY on the Web is
so common these days that it has lost much of its impact. It is poor
substitute for wit or a clever argument, of course, but it's a
no-brainer for some bloggers when words fail them.

Consequently, swearing
for effect tends to be seen in a negative light, as noted by Glen
Matlock, formerly of the Sex Pistols, in a television interview: 'It's
pathetic when people just swear for the sake of it.' He should know as
the punk band didn't do itself any favours by spewing vulgarities for no
apparent reason on the most inappropriate occasions.

What is appropriate, of
course, depends on the context of a group and a verbal exchange. In
working class interactions and the online chatter of the young, foul
words are so routinely traded that some would consider it a way of
merely building rapport.

Hence, the measured
response to the expletive-filled blog post of a junior college student
commenting on this year's annual Pre-U Seminar where Deputy Prime
Minister Teo Chee Hean was the key speaker. The student deleted the post
afterwards and apologised for his words, which an Education Ministry
spokesman noted were 'rude and unbecoming'. The spokesman added: 'We
hope to turn this into a teachable moment both for the student blogger
and students in general.'

More troubling than just
the language was the student's attitude - he wanted answers to national
issues from the minister rather than to be asked for his views on them.
It spoke of a lack of understanding that citizens own and shape the
societies they live in, not government leaders or officials. Carried to
extremes, this much lamented what's-in-it-for-me attitude is
antithetical to fostering social cohesion and consensus on the way
forward on the many challenges this country faces. Beyond this, the
swearing incident raises questions of public manners and how public
discourse should be conducted.

Even so, it would be
unrealistic for language gestapos to even try to stamp out such conduct
entirely. Swearing is so much a part of popular culture that it has
surfaced everywhere, from acclaimed books like J. D. Salinger's The
Catcher In The Rye to the HBO drama Deadwood. In real life, however, if
the intent is to show disrespect or desecration, it can spark a chain of
reactions that can spin out of control.

Worse, profanity for its
own sake can vulgarise a community and degenerate the tone of public
discussions. It could foster a cynical culture, more ready to knock down
than to nurture and build. With maturity, the young may come to see
that it is all a question of the time, tone and place.

Think!

Do you use profanities? When do you use profanities?

Are there appropriate circumstances where one can use profanities? When is it appropriate or not appropriate?

Why do you think people use profanities? Perhaps to express something he/she couldn't otherwise express in a non-vulgar way? To express extreme anger?

How does using profanity "vulgarise a community and degenerate the tone of public
discussions"

The editorial above also brought up the issue of the "what's-in-it-for-me" attitude among many students today. Do you think students today carry this attitude? What can be done to overcome this problem?